Move Over 50 Cent, Mozart's Throwin' it Down

Although we’re probably a long way away from hearing Mussorgsky’s thundering Night on Bald Mountain blaring through high end stereo systems along the streets, an interesting new development in the world of music has begun to take place. Classical music is on the rise.

According to an article on Slate.com, classical music was the fastest growing genre in sales during 2006—up by 22.5 percent, its highest increase since 2002—beating out jazz, alternative, and even rap, which posted a decrease in sales by 22.7 percent (Nielsen 2006 report).

There are a few factors which can help explain this phenomenon. Internet sales of digital music increased by 65 percent in 2006, and actual album sales dropped 5 percent, according to the 2007 Nielsen SoundScan report. While traditional outlets have either severely depleted their selection of classical music or have completely done away with it, the Internet offers a unique storefront for those seeking otherwise hard to find recordings. Classical artists have embraced this valuable tool with welcoming arms. The New York Philharmonic now releases four albums annually on iTunes.

The largest factor in classical sales growth can be attributed to a few classical-crossover artists, such as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, and Il Divo. Brendan I. Koerner of Slate.com describes classical-crossover as, “…music [that] sounds more appropriate for a feel-good Disney movie. Think honeyed voices singing about love or inspiration, backed by lush string sections and synthesizers. Think singers who look like J. Crew models.” Even though classical purists treat crossover artists like rock purists treat Nickleback, as Koerner’s article so eloquently explained, it’s apparent that the recent surge in classical music is beholden to these three artists. Together, Bocelli and Groben were responsible for the sale of 3.16 million units, which include albums on compact disc, vinyl, cassette, and digital form.

While dance clubs are probably not pumping out Beethoven’s 9^th symphony or Mozart’s requiem for everyone to get low to, fans of the classical genre can crack a smile and take pride in the recent developments. With the healthy rise in sales and the help of online outlets, possible fans and enthusiasts are not simply limited to gas station sales racks filled with the cliché Bach and Beethoven CDs or nearly-destroyed vinyl records found at flea markets.

If you're reluctant to give classical music a try, just download some Wagner and pump it through your iPod Nano. The lows and overall power in his work blow away anything the oversaturated pop-market can offer.